Vietnamese New Year's Eve (Tết Nguyên Đán)

Vietnamese New Year's Eve, often simply called Tết, is the most important celebration in Vietnamese culture. It marks the arrival of spring based on the lunar calendar, usually falling in late January or early February. This festival has its roots in ancient agricultural practices and is influenced by Chinese New Year due to historical and cultural ties.

History and Traditions:

• Origins: Tết's origins can be traced back to East Asian agrarian societies that celebrated the first day of the lunar new year.
• Ancestral Worship: A central aspect of Tết is honoring ancestors. Many Vietnamese believe that their forebears return to earth for the holiday, so families prepare a feast and altar to welcome these spirits.
• Cleaning Rituals: Homes are thoroughly cleaned before the new year to rid them of bad luck and make space for incoming good fortune.
• Decorations: Streets and homes are decorated with flowers, particularly peach blossoms in the north and apricot blossoms in the south, along with banners and red lanterns symbolizing prosperity.
• Traditional Foods: Special foods like bánh chưng (sticky rice cake), pickled onions, boiled chicken, and mứt (candied fruits) are prepared for family feasts.
• Lucky Money (Lì xì): Elders give children red envelopes containing money for luck.

Activities on New Year's Eve:

• Fireworks Displays: Major cities host fireworks shows at midnight to welcome Tết.
• Gatherings: Families gather on New Year’s Eve for a reunion dinner known as "Tất Niên," reflecting on the past year and celebrating the coming one.
• Temple Visits: Many people visit temples and pagodas after midnight or early in the morning to pray for a prosperous year ahead.
• Dragon Dances: Lion or dragon dances are performed in public spaces as symbols of strength meant to scare away evil spirits.

On this day, Vietnamese people prioritize harmony, family bonds, and optimism looking forward to a prosperous new year.